An animal control officer in Culpeper County is facing charges for allegedly choking a small dog to the point of unconsciousness, according to witnesses.
Harley Hall, 31, of Culpeper County, turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office and was released on an unsecured bond. The Commonwealth Attorney’s Office obtained a charge for cruelty to animals, according to Sheriff Timothy W. Chilton.
“Please give the detectives and county administrator’s office time to finalize interviews and gather any and all evidence. Animal cases are the heart strings in society and get so much attention. Please see the facts before drawing incorrect conclusions causing the fall out on persons that are in no way involved,” Chilton said.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, detectives were contacted by the county administrator’s office on Dec. 16 pertaining to an incident that occurred around Dec. 9.
The preliminary investigation found that Hall allegedy choked a small, elderly terrier, according to shelter workers.
This was during a “restraint technique” to administer medicine, the CCSO said in a statement.
The dog was taken to a local veterinarian by the ACO for “complications” and “health reasons.” The dog was euthanized.
A CCSO detective attempted to obtain the body of the dog but it had been taken to a burial site on Dec. 11 and was unable to be located for a necropsy.
Through eye-witness accounts, recordings and written discipline documents, the case was presented to the Commonwealth Attorney’s office.
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Crystal Graham
